The Mayo Green Party has strongly criticised bus and train services in the West of Ireland. The party has highlighted the case of Paul Lynch, a research worker recently employed by the Sustainability Institute. Mr Lynch, who was carrying out important research into renewable energy in Mayo, recently set off back to his home town of Macroom in Co Cork by bicycle.

Thousands of men and women between the ages of 18 and 25, who are signing on the Live Register, are to be targeted in an effort to encourage them to gain additional skills and qualifications under the Back to Education Allowance Scheme.